Alvin Kamara sends Saints clear message by leaving practice amid contract dispute

Veteran running back Alvin Kamara sent the Saints a clear message on Thursday by leaving minicamp practice early. Kamara is in the hunt for a contract extension as he nears the end of his deal, but so far, no extension or restructure has materialized.

Alvin Kamara’s agent Brad Cicala confirmed to NFL insider Ian Rapoport that the running back’s departure from practice was contract-related. His deal pays him $10.7 million for this season, however, his cap hit for 2025 is $25 million. Knowing the Saints likely won’t pay him the ballooned salary for the 2025 season, Kamara is seeking an adjustment to his deal.

In seven seasons with New Orleans, Kamara has racked up 5,829 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. He also has 4,219 receiving yards and 23 touchdown catches. The Saints drafted him in the third round in 2017 out of Tennessee. In 2023, he posted 180 carries, 694 rushing yards and five touchdowns with 75 receptions, 466 receiving yards and one more score in 13 games.

Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak offered comments on the star running back after practice on Thursday.

“I have talked to him, he’s been great,” Kubiak said. “I talked to him on the phone even when he was gone. We’ve been in constant communication.”

Players across the league are taking stands during mandatory minicamps to try to grease the wheels on new deals. Those players under contract who are not participating in camp, like Kamara on Thursday, are subject to fines of up to $100,000.

Saints lose Juwan Johnson to foot injury

The Saints will be without starting tight end Juwan Johnson for a “while” after undergoing foot surgery next week, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Though the former wide receiver will miss time in training camp and in the preseason, per Schefter’s sources, he could be ready to go by the time the regular season hits. The Saints open the 2024 regular season with a home game against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8.

Johnson signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He played in 16 games for the Saints last year and recorded 37 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns, finishing fifth on the team in receiving yards. Before the 2023 season, Johnson signed a two-year contract extension with the Saints.

After his first four seasons in the league, the former Ducks standout has posted 96 receptions in 50 games played for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns.